The LHTBI – Its Aims and Achievements

154 years after its formation, the Leather & Hide Trades’ Benevolent Institution still continues the work for which it was set up – to help former employees and their dependents who are in financial need – and it still continues to receive applications for assistance. Today many of these are for grants towards, say, an electric scooter, a stairlift or the installation of a shower.

We are currently helping 64 annuitants. Of these 17 are married couples, 9 are widowers or single and 38 are widows. The oldest, who applied for help in 1970, has recently reached 107 years of age (!) and many annuitants are now well into their 80s and 90s. The majority of companies they worked for no longer exist; they are geographically spread over the whole of England, the largest numbers living in Northamptonshire and Somerset. There are also currently 9 annuitants in Eire.

It currently costs between £70-£80,000 a year to keep the level of distribution going by means of our quarterly Charitable Allowance (formerly known as an annuity), bonuses, grants towards one-off payments for equipment, such as mobility scooters, and the Christmas Hampers. The letters of thanks received are evidence of the gratitude felt by the recipients and they also welcome the quarterly letters and Birthday and Christmas cards sent by the Secretary.

In addition to its investment income, the LHTBI is financed by means of annual donations from our many friends in the trade, either in response to the President’s Appeal or under standing orders.

Many individual donors contribute under the Gift Aid scheme, a very welcome gesture. We benefit greatly through the generosity of the Leathersellers’ Company and the International Golf Championship of the Shoe, Leather & Allied Trades. Other fundraising events in recent years have been the Waendel Walk in Wellingborough, the annual Cricket Matches, the Kindrochit Quadrathlon in the Scottish Highlands, the Tour of Ireland Cycling Event in 2009, and the 2010 Jazz Concert at the Leathersellers’ Hall. Our Chairman is a keen cyclist and enters sponsored events every two years to raise funds for the LHTBI, last year completing the John O’Groats to Lands’ End Bike Ride in 9 days. Congratulations, William and Sue!

We anticipate further demands on our resources during the coming year and we would ask you, once again, to continue your valuable help and to draw the attention of your colleagues to the important work of the LHTBI and its need for financial support.

The majority of cases nowadays are brought to our attention through the Royal British Legion, SSAFA, Age UK and similar organisations but we feel sure there are others in need who are unaware of the existence of the LHTBI. The Committee would welcome your help in “spreading the news” about the work of the LHTBI.